News Summary

Duval County Public Schools in Jacksonville has received an A grade from the Florida Department of Education for the first time in over 20 years. Governor Ron DeSantis announced this achievement at Oceanway Elementary School. The district’s improvement reflects strong community support and educational leadership, with significant progress noted at various schools, including Andrew Jackson High School’s first-ever A grade. As the percentage of schools earning A or B grades rises statewide, Superintendent Bernier aims to leverage this success to enhance student enrollment and academic performance.

Jacksonville

The Florida Department of Education has awarded Duval County Public Schools an A grade for the 2024-2025 academic year, marking the first time in over 20 years that the district has achieved this level of recognition. Governor Ron DeSantis announced the results at Oceanway Elementary School in Jacksonville during a press conference.

In the recent grading, across the state, 28 school districts received an A grade, while 31 districts were awarded a B grade and eight districts received a C grade. Notably, no districts fell into D or F categories. Superintendent Dr. Christopher Bernier highlighted the accomplishment as “historic” for Duval County and credited the success to strong leadership and community support.

One of the standout schools in the district, Andrew Jackson High School, earned its first-ever A grade, improving from a C grade in the previous year. Significant changes in teaching methods, such as those implemented by geometry teacher Claire Nackashi, focused on enhancing student responsibility and awareness of their academic performance. This proactive approach among educators reflects the strides the district is taking to elevate overall academic results.

The district’s improvement to an A grade from a previous B grade is indicative of substantial academic progress. Furthermore, Oceanway Elementary’s upgrade from a C grade to an A grade exemplifies broader enhancements across the district. In total, 45 schools in Duval County saw improvements in their grades, with 10 schools boosting their ratings by two letter grades this year. Only two public, non-charter schools in the area received D or F grades, a reduction from 12 last year.

Statewide, the percentage of schools earning A or B grades increased from 64% to 71%. Changes to testing protocols, including the integration of progress monitoring tests, have been credited for supporting these learning gains. The improvements in school performance are widely viewed as beneficial not only for students but also for local economies and attracting business investments to the area.

For Superintendent Bernier, the focus now is on enhancing reading scores and leveraging the district’s newfound status to boost student enrollment. The past two decades have seen Duval County maintain stable yet uninspiring grades, predominantly hovering between B and C ratings. The recent shift to an A grade signifies a turning point in the district’s educational trajectory.

Nearby counties such as Nassau and Clay have continued to maintain their A grades, while Baker County remains on par as a B district. As Duval County celebrates its academic achievement, education activists have commended the dedication exhibited by teachers, school leaders, and the larger community in fostering an environment conducive to learning and growth.

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DeSantis Cuts Florida Budget by Millions, Impacting Local Projects
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Duval County Schools See Improvement in Test Scores
School District Responds to Teacher’s Misconduct Incident
Duval County School Board Launches ‘Duval Reimagine’ Initiative
JEA Approves $2.37 Billion Budget for Jacksonville
Sandalwood High School Community Mourns Tragic Loss

Additional Resources

• Jacksonville: Making the Grade
• First Coast News: Duval County Earns A Grade
• Action News Jax: Governor Celebrates Duval Schools
• Wikipedia: Education in Florida
• WFTV: Best Public Middle Schools in Jacksonville

Author: STAFF HERE JACKSONVILLE WRITER

JACKSONVILLE STAFF WRITER The JACKSONVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREJacksonville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Jacksonville, Duval County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Jacksonville Jazz Festival, Riverside Arts Market, and World of Nations Celebration. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce and JAXUSA Partnership, plus leading businesses in logistics, healthcare, and entertainment that power the local economy such as CSX Corporation, Baptist Health, and VyStar Credit Union. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREOrlando.com, HEREStPetersburg.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.